limiting factor
Americannoun
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Physiology. the slowest, therefore rate-limiting, step in a process or reaction involving several steps.
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Biology. an environmental factor that tends to limit population size.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The answer is that the real limiting factor for a racing driver as they age is mental rather than physical, as long as they are able to continue to meet the bodily demands.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
“The limiting factor for expansion is really rigorous validation, making sure things are completely safe,” Musk said on a call with investors in April.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
A year ago, a shortage of natural gas turbines was the biggest limiting factor behind the AI boom, because data centers couldn’t build enough power plants to get electricity to those data centers.
From Barron's ● May 4, 2026
"Our research shows that iron is a limiting factor in phytoplankton's ability to make oxygen in vast regions of the ocean."
From Science Daily ● Jan. 12, 2026
That's really the limiting factor to life support.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
